Senior Program Manager

United Friends of the Children; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

United Friends of the Children in Los Angeles seeks a Senior Program Manager to lead Pathways housing program operations, oversee case management, and coordinate with housing, intake and clinical teams. You will guide staff during crises, develop youth programming, and ensure compliance with reporting and data systems like Apricot and HMIS; a trauma-informed, trauma-focused approach is essential.

This hybrid, full-time role requires dedication to high-quality service delivery and youth

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and program management experience in youth services.
• Experience coordinating data management and compliance (HMIS/Apricot).
• Skilled in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care.
• Ability to supervise and train staff across multiple sites.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with external agencies.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily program operations, facilities, and case management.
• Lead crises and emergencies response, safety, and conflict management.
• Oversee grievance process per policies and participant rights.
• Collaborate with housing, intake, and clinical services.
• Develop and deliver youth programming and events.
• Support strategic program initiatives and policy development.
• Hire, onboard, and train Program Managers.
• Manage budget line items for direct services.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Case management

Data management

Crisis management

Staff supervision

Budget management

Trauma-informed care

Motivational interviewing

Tools

Apricot

HMIS

Job description

United Friends of the Children empowers current and former foster/justice involved youth on their journey to self-sufficiency through service-enriched programs, advocacy, and consistent relationships with a community of people who care.

Founded over 40 years ago, United Friends’ is a leading provider of youth development services to current and former foster youth in Los Angeles County. Through its housing and education programs, the organization has helped thousands of young people imagine and actualize their own dreams and futures. United Friends’ programs focus on commitment, trauma-informed care, and empowerment by prioritizing a whole-person-development approach. Through a Social Justice Positive Youth Development (SJPYD) model, we center building relationships with youth over an extended period to achieve greater outcomes. Around those relationships, United Friends wraps an array of supportive services to help youth successfully transition to adulthood. As a result of services, United Friends alumni have greater housing and economic stability, higher educational attainment and a stronger sense of community and emotional wellbeing.

Position Overview

Pathways is a low-barrier to entry housing program that provides intensive case management and support services to transitional aged‑youth (TAY), ages 18-24. The Pathways program utilizes the Housing First Approach in which assertive engagement with our youth is essential to ensure youth are aware of and participate in a myriad of resources and supportive services offered by the program. Reporting to the Senior Director of Housing, the Senior Program Manager (SPM) will be responsible for managing daily program operations and providing oversight of case management standards of practice. SPM will guide the team in navigating crises or emergencies and support them in triaging cases with a higher level of need. In collaboration with management, SPM will support the team to create an engaging community for youth and partner with external agencies to increase access to services and resources.

Leadership and Program Management

• Manage and oversee daily program operations, facilities, and case management, as well as the after‑hour staff schedule.
• Provide leadership and support during crises, including emergencies, safety concerns, conflicts, and other critical incidents.
• Manage the program grievance process, ensuring concerns are addressed promptly, equitably, and in accordance with program policies and participant rights.
• Work in conjunction with property management, intake, and clinical services to bridge collaboration with the housing team and ensure high‑quality service delivery.
• Provide oversight for the planning and delivery of youth programming (e.g. workshops and events).
• Support implementation of strategic program initiatives and deliverables.
• Develop and maintain policies and procedures consistent with best practices and program model.
• Oversee implementation and utilization of case management protocols and expectations.
• Develop and oversee peer mentorship services to elevate youth voice and create opportunities for youth to grow as leaders and contribute to program frameworks and youth experience.
• Utilize motivational interviewing, harm reduction and restorative justice practices to co‑facilitate trauma‑informed debriefings and care coordination meetings that intervene with early exits and reengage youth to progress towards their case plan goals.
• Manage budget line items related to direct services.

Data Management and Program Compliance

• Drive strong practices to ensure accurate and timely completion of required reports and documentation.
• Oversight of day‑to‑day data management and contract compliance (e.g. reporting and outcomes).
• Monitor data input in required management systems, Apricot and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), to ensure data integrity.

Supervision and Support

• Responsible for hiring, onboarding, and training Program Managers, and overseeing case management training to ensure consistency, standardization, and continuity of practices across the team.
• Facilitate training sessions to ensure staff are equipped to perform essential job functions and remain current on program practices and requirements.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high‑performing team environment.
• Provide support and consultation to the team and directly respond to after‑hours crises and emergencies as necessary.

Other

• Other duties as assigned.

General United Friends Responsibilities

• Act as a role model within the organization to uphold and implement United Friends’ organizational values:
  • Embrace program evaluation that leads to excellence and impact.
  • Build effective and empowering partnerships with the youth, community, and each other.
  • Create a fun and exciting environment that inspires learning and innovation.
  • Communicate openly, honestly and with humility across all groups.
  • Work together as one organization.
• Staff hold a commitment to:
  • A culturally responsive Trauma‑Informed Approach to our population and client centered advocacy.
  • Strong knowledge of the communities served and centralize this cultural understanding into the work.
  • Support in Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI).
  • Evaluating the completeness, accuracy and relevance of data to determine information value and improve client services.

United Friends currently implements a hybrid work environment – schedule is determined at the discretion of management and the needs of the program and/or agency. This position will work full‑time hours, Monday‑Friday and on weekends and evenings as needed. The SPM is a part of the after‑hours rotation schedule where they are required to respond to youth‑related crises and emergencies. SPM will be required to work on‑site between the housing locations, at least three days per week, and out of the DTLA office once a week. Locations and days may change based on agency and program needs. United Friends’ downtown office will serve as a hybrid work location to the SPM for administrative and meeting purposes (as specified). UFC can change the current hybrid schedule at their discretion based on the needs of the position and company.